For those not in the know, Christian Death is an American gothic rock band formed in Orange County, California, in 1979 by Rozz Williams.

With major line-up changes over the years, Christian Death has retained their relentlessly confrontational stand against organized religion and conventional morality throughout.

Williams was eventually joined by guitarist Rikk Agnew of the band Adolescents, James McGearty on bass guitar and George Belanger on drums.

Indeed, this line-up was responsible for producing the band's best known work, their 1982 debut album Only Theatre of Pain, which was highly influential in the development of the style of music known as deathrock; as well as on the American gothic scene which also produced bands such as Kommunity FK and 45 Grave.

Following the release of Only Theatre of Pain, Christian Death's line-up had fallen apart, and by the time of the band's second album, Catastrophe Ballet (1984), Rozz was joined by Valor Kand of tour mates Pompeii 99 on vocals and guitar.

Following the release of the band's third album, Ashes, in 1985, Williams left the band and was controversially replaced by Valor as frontperson of the band, with no original members of the band remaining, causing a divide in the band's fanbase that has continued to this day.

Releasing on March 13th, 2020 via Cleopatra Records, Death Club 1981-1993 is an ultra rare live concert film of Christian Death from 1990.

Featuring original band founder Williams on lead vocals along with Eva O, it also brings to the fore Rikk Agnew on guitars, Casey Chaos on bass, and Vic (Cujo) on drums.

CD
1. 'Dogs' (2:54)
2. 'Deathwish' (2:14)
3. 'Cavity - First Communion' (4:09)
4. 'Rome's Distress' (3:17)
5. 'Cervix Couch' (4:59)
6. 'The Drowning' (4:02)
7. 'Ashes' (7:16)
8. 'The Luxury Of Tears' (6:59)
9. 'Spectre' (3:56)
10. 'Haloes' (3:40)
11. 'This Mirage' (2:24)
12. 'The Angels (Cruciform)' (3:53)
13. 'Venus In Furs' (5:20)
14. 'Psalm (Maggots Lair)' (3:36)
15. Audio Interview With Rozz Williams (11:58)
16. Christian Death vs Creux Lies - 'Spiritual Cramp (Halloween 2019)' [Bonus Track]

DVD:
Live at The Mason Jar, January 14th, 1990
1. 'Intro
2. 'Cavity - First Communion'
3. 'Figurative Theatre'
4. 'Burnt Offerings'
5. 'Dodo'
6. 'Mysterium Iniquitatis'
7. 'Dream For Mother'
8. 'Spiritual Cramp'
9. 'Romeo's Distress'
10. 'Resurrection - Sixth Communion'
11. 'Deathwish'
12. 'Sleepwalk'
13. 'Dogs'
14. 'Cavity - First Communion' (Media Blitz TV Performance)
15. 'Romeo's Distress' (Media Blitz TV Performance)
16. Interview with Rozz Williams & Christian Death
17. Interview with Rikk Agnew

Simply put, Death Club 1981-1993 is essentially to Christian Death/Rozz fans what Crackle is to Bauhaus devotees - a sampler of the bands best years with Rozz as frontman, plus some extra little goodies to make this CD+DVD package worth buying to anyone who already owns all of the albums highlighted here.

The only album cuts NOT included are those from The Iron Mask (understandably, as it's only re-recordings of most of these songs anyway), The Rage Of Angels and Christian Death's various live releases, which weren't particularly good anyways.

Included though are the semi-hard to find Invocations studio cuts, which include 'Haloes', 'This Mirage' and the rarer Spectre (Love Is Dead)' as well as plenty of DVD extras - including their show live at The Mason Jar on January 14th, 1990, their wicked excellent appearance on Media Blitz, and also interviews with both Rozz and Rikk Agnew from the bands early days.

For the uninitiated, buy this CD+DVD and think of it as Christian Death footnotes. Then go buy the albums you can find still. For established Rozz fans the rare inclusions and DVD extras make this a must have to complete the Christian Death history and should be accompanied with a purchase of their Shadow Project DVD … And Then There Was Death.

As noted, this two-disc Deluxe Digi-Pak also includes a Bonus Audio concert CD and a rather brilliants 12-page booklet inside!

Amazon CD+DVD Combo Purchase Link

www.ChristianDeath.com

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